Grifols Biologicals Inc. of El Sereno has hired more than 100 Cal State LA alumni and students while training nearly as many high school students at its summer science academy.

For his contributions to the regional bioscience industry, Grifols Biologicals President Willie Zuniga was honored by the university recently with an LA BioStar Award.

“When you work in this industry, it comes with a very important mission,” Zuniga said at an Aug. 14 graduation ceremony for Cal State LA BioStart, an intensive student training program for early-stage bioscience entrepreneurs.

“This is so much more than just a job, this is so much more than just a career, we have an obligation to improve the quality of life for others.”

Grifols Biologicals, a division of Grifols S.A. of Spain, produces plasma-derived medicines for rare chronic conditions such as hemophilia.

See related story: Locals Take Lead in Bioscience Growth

Zuniga was born and raised in El Sereno and nearby Lincoln Heights. He landed a job four decades ago at Alpha Therapeutic, now Grifols, as an entry level manufacturing tech. He worked his way up to president – but never forgot his roots.

The company has been collaborating with a Cal State LA BioSpace initiative to support bioscience in eastern Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley.

The Grifols Summer Science Academy at Cal State LA has trained nearly 80 high school students in microbiology, chemistry and molecular work under the guidance of Grifols professionals.

The campus plans to open a 20,000 square-foot Cal State LABioSpace incubator lab in early 2019 for biotech startup firms spurred by such student outreach.

“The academy sparks enthusiasm for laboratory research,” said Jose A. Gomez, executive vice president for the university and chairman of Cal State LA BioSpace. “These young scientists will one day develop life-changing scientific discoveries.”

Health business reporter Dana Bartholomew can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @_DanaBart.